Manteno board approves interim employee contracts and adopts FY2025‑26 budget after split votes

The Village Board of Manteno on April 21 voted to approve one‑year, at‑will employment contracts for Village Administrator Chris LaRocque, Public Works Superintendent Jim Hanley and Police Chief Alan Swinford, and adopted an ordinance approving the village’s FY2025–26 budget and a related year‑end reallocation.

The votes followed extended public comment and discussion among trustees about whether newly sworn officials — sworn in at the start of the meeting — should be given more time to review personnel agreements. Trustee Dawn Geske, who presented the personnel motions, said the contracts were intended to protect village operations while the new mayor makes appointments: "This is not to steal an appointment away from the mayor; this is simply to provide some protection for our employees who will be continuing to do the work until appointments by the mayor are made," Geske said.

Members who pressed for delay said they needed time to review the packet that had arrived shortly before the meeting. Newly sworn Mayor Annette Lamour said she had "only been your mayor now for what? An hour and a half," and asked for professional courtesy and time to review…